Trump Administration Plans Mass Deportation of Guatemalan Children in US Custody, Lawyers Challenge Move Amid Fears of Abuse and Neglect
The imminent repatriation of unaccompanied Guatemalan minors held in US custody is slated to commence on Sunday, prompting a flurry of activity among legal representatives who express concern that the children could face risks upon their return.
Initial reports suggest that the Trump administration, in collaboration with the Guatemalan government, is planning to repatriate hundreds of unaccompanied Guatemalan minors who have entered the US.
A temporary injunction issued by a federal judge on Sunday halted the deportation of unaccompanied Guatemalan minors in US custody. However, it appears that plans are still moving forward despite the court order. A lawyer representing Guatemalan children reports that kids were moved out of their shelters following the judge’s ruling.
Legal aid providers who work with these minors received a notice from the Office of Refugee Resettlement stating that Guatemala had requested the return of certain unaccompanied alien children in federal custody for reunification purposes with suitable family members residing in their home country.
The affected children, ranging in age, do not appear to have a parent living in the US, but may have relatives and have a parent or legal guardian in Guatemala. The criteria also includes children who lack pending asylum cases and are deemed unlikely to be trafficked upon return.
However, lawyers representing some of these children claim that those identified for repatriation could face risks if returned to Guatemala and are currently involved in ongoing immigration proceedings.
In a lawsuit filed on Sunday to impede the initiative, attorneys contend that the Trump administration is violating US law, which provides special protections for unaccompanied migrants and ensures they are not removed without due process or the opportunity to contest deportation.
Representatives from the White House, as well as the Departments of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security, were contacted for comment by CNN.
The plaintiffs in the case, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, are ten Guatemalan minors, aged between 10 and 17, who have been identified for removal, with most being involved in ongoing immigration proceedings.
One of these children is a 10-year-old indigenous child who experienced abuse and neglect at the hands of caregivers in Guatemala; her mother has passed away.
Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan issued an order preventing the US government from removing any of the individual plaintiffs for a two-week period and scheduled a hearing for Sunday afternoon.
The immigration attorney representing multiple Guatemalan children informed CNN that the children are “terrified and confused.” When explained what’s happening, their initial reaction is disbelief, followed by fear. The children were reportedly removed from their beds in the middle of the night over a holiday weekend.
On Saturday evening, legal aid providers who care for unaccompanied migrant children also received notice that kids had been identified “for reunification with their parents and or legal guardians” in their country of origin and must be prepared to be discharged within two hours upon receiving notification, or within four hours if the child is enrolled in a foster care program.
The children are required to be travel-ready, including proper documentation, medication, personal belongings, and two prepared sack lunches.